Artwork
Robert Bowie
Robert Bowie is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Bowie is a portrait print created in 1804 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, utilizing mezzotint and engraving techniques on black wove paper, later mounted to brown wove paper. The work is compact, measuring 5.72 × 5.56 cm.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the portrait is Robert Bowie, depicted in formal attire with a direct gaze. The detailed rendering suggests an emphasis on realism and possibly a commission to honor or document the sitter's likeness.
Technique & Style
The print combines mezzotint for tonal depth and engraving for line precision, characteristic of Saint-Mémin's approach to portraiture. The small scale and meticulous detail are typical of the artist's miniaturized yet highly detailed portraits.
History & Provenance
Robert Bowie is part of the Corcoran Collection, a compilation of artworks gathered by a collector, notable for its inclusion of multiple similar portraits, indicating a possible thematic or collector-driven acquisition.
Context
To understand the stylistic and technical context, comparing with other works by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin is recommended, highlighting his consistent use of mezzotint and engraving for portraitures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
